SR1017 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1017 LRB102 27414 LAW 39207 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Waino Feelis Akkala of Marquette, Michigan, who passed away on April 20, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Waino Akkala was born to Matt Feelis and Heidi Marie (Joensuu) Akkala in Marquette, Michigan on December 24, 1918; he graduated from Graveraet High School in Marquette in 1938 and took a position as a machinist with Lakeshore, Inc.; he joined the U.S. Navy on May 6, 1943 and was honorably discharged in November 1945; he served as a machinist with the Navy Seabees during World War II and participated in the battles of Leyte, of Luzon, and in the Marshall Islands; he received four stars for the American Theatre of Operations and Asiatic Pacific Theatre of Operations campaign citations, along with two stars for the Philippine Liberation campaign citation; he then returned to Marquette to be reunited with his wife, Olive, and his young daughter, Julie; and

WHEREAS, Waino Akkala resumed employment as a machinist with Lakeshore, Inc., where he worked with earnest dedication until his retirement in 1983; upon his retirement, he relocated to his farm in Big Bay, Michigan, where he devotedly restored a classic Ford Model A automobile to prime condition; and

WHEREAS, Waino Akkala was a member of the Community Presbyterian Church of Big Bay and the Negaunee VFW; and

WHEREAS, Waino Akkala was a talented woodworker who enjoyed carpentry and fishing; he also occasionally played his guitar for the enjoyment of friends and family; he will be remembered for his good, amicable nature; and

WHEREAS, Waino Akkala was preceded in death by his wives, Olive and Jane; his daughter, Julie Bartels; and his brothers, John and Walter; and

WHEREAS, Waino Akkala is survived by his son, William Akkala; his grandchildren, Julia, Lonnie, Steven, Jacqueline, and Jo Anna; and his five great-grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Waino Feelis Akkala and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Waino Akkala as an expression of our deepest sympathy.